I recently had to remove both trip springs from my SP-15. I approached each one differently, so I’ll explain both methods. The discovery that not just one but both springs were broken came a couple months ago, but it took some time to procure the right tools for removing the old springs, namely a cold […]
MoreCategory: SP series
SP15 Roller Height Shift
I’ve just finished adjusting the top bearings on my SP15, and I’m seeing something unexpected. The roller height is now identical in print and trip, but only while the carriage is outbound, i.e., moving away from the feedboard. Once it hits the trip mechanism and I roll it back, the rollers are a touch lower […]
MoreSP 20 chain problem
Today while printing our SP 20 started making a metallic dragging sound. It stops when the motor turns off and gets louder when the carriage is at the feed board with the rollers down, when there is pressure on the ink drum. I suspect that it’s because the chain is stretched or loose and is […]
MoreSP20 Ink Drum/Form Roller Contact Issues
Hello, we recently acquired a refurbished Vandy SP20 at UT Austin and it is having issues. The worst problem we’re having is the form rollers not making contact with the ink drum. We bought two new springs from Fritz for the ink drum and replaced those, so I think that is at the proper height. […]
MoreSP-20 grippers raising on return to feedboard
Yesterday while printing a plate the press started “clanging” about 3 inches away from the feedboard, the grippers rising correspond with the sound. It seems to be louder on the left side of the press, away from the hand crank. While it doesn’t affect the quality of prints, I am worried that something is wrong […]
MoreLever that holds the top rollers up loose
The top rollers fell on my hand while I was cleaning the rollers the other day because the lever latch (image below) that holds them the oscillator in place when up is loose and does not always click in place. Could someone advise how I go about stabilizing it? Many thanks!
Morerollers + inconsistent inking
Hi Paul, Thank you so much for your help earlier this year with replacing our Vandercook [SP20] trip switch [springs]. I have run into another issue that is raising some questions now and I thought you may be a good person to ask. Our ink rollers work great some of the time and there are […]
MoreVandercook SP20 locking up in both directions
.mov video
MoreVandercooking in Brazil
Dear friends of Vandercookpress.info. I’d like to share a bit about the history of this press and my hypotheses about its journey to Brazil. Perhaps you can help me clarify some questions. I purchased this Vandercook No. 3 (serial 8122) in the second half of 2022, in São Paulo, from a mechanic who had acquired […]
MoreDrum Springs for my SP20
Quick question about replacement springs on my SP20. The press is currently on long-term loan to a friend, and since their adopting it, we have now broken 3 drum springs in less than 3 years. I know at least one of them was an hardware-store spring which happened to work, but one, maybe two, were […]
MoreSP15 roller height changes erratically
I’ve been experiencing an issue with the roller height on an SP15. I calibrate the rollers, and after pulling a few proofs, I can tell something isn’t right. I check the rollers again, and find they’ve shifted, drastically — sometimes after just two or three impressions. It isn’t happening all the time. On Saturday I […]
MoreProblem with new SP-15 rollers
Sorry to start a new post on this topic but could not successfully add a photo to previous comments. I have the new rollers back on the press. They are still showing the same problem of streaking ink, but it seems somewhat less extreme this time. The front roller is taking the ink better than […]
More